Wednesday, October 16, 2013

How to Get Rid of a Callus on Your Foot

Actress Keira Knightley recently tried to learn guitar for an upcoming film, only to quit after seeing her fingers covered with calluses. A callus can be bothersome, even unsightly, but you may not be aware that they are a defensive mechanism. Calluses form on areas of your skin that are exposed to repeated pressure or friction. It toughens up and forms a layer of hardened skin as a form of protection from the irritation. On feet, these rough patches tend to form on the heels and ball of the foot.

In most cases, a callus on your foot is more of an annoyance or an aesthetic problem than anything, but there may be times when it can become a painful situation. If you have poor circulation or an underlying condition such as diabetes, a simple callus could turn into a serious complication.

Treatment for a callus is often a simple process. If you are healthy, removing the source of friction often does the trick. This may involve changing the shoes you wear, evaluating your gait if you are a runner, or avoiding going barefoot. Try a foot soak with warm water to start. Adding a few tablespoons of lemon juice can also help to soften the skin. Use a callus file or a pumice stone to gently wear away the top layer of dead skin. Being gentle is key! Never use a sharp object to try to cut away or shave off the skin as this greatly increases your risk for injury and infection. You can repeat the soak and rubbing until you have removed the layers of toughened skin.

If your efforts aren’t making a difference, it is time for help! Dr. Jeff Bowman of Houston Foot Specialists can evaluate the severity of your problem and provide safe and effective treatment. We also carry many special creams and lotions made with special formulas to remove calluses. Make an appointment today by calling our office in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886, or schedule online.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved
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2 comments:

  1. I very much appreciate your sharing! This is the right way to treat your calluses. Many people with calluses try to lessen pain by cutting or trimming them with a razor blade or knife. This is not at all the right way to treat your calluses. It can make the condition worse for you and can cause severe problems later in life.

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  2. Wart and verruca remover brand Warnter is now applying its expertise to corns and calluses with the launch of a Corn & Callus Removal Pen.

    The pen is said to use the latest in patented TCA-active and easy-to-use application technology by Medical Brands, and marks the brand’s expansion into the treatment of corns and calluses for the first time.

    The new product has all the qualities synonymous with the Wartner range with particular emphasis on rapid acting efficacy and market leading innovation, adding genuine value to the consumer, the company claims.

    Effective from the first week of treatment, the New Wartner Corn & Callus Removal Pen uses a highly concentrated TCA Gel which is proven to be stronger than the commonly used Salicylic Acid, Wartner said. Combined with its unique application method, the product is of particular benefit to consumers because it offers effective treatment without pharmacologic effect.

    The easy to use pen is claimed to allow precise distribution of the gel, permitting more targeted treatment to stubborn corns.

    Applied daily for four days followed by a break period for a further four days, visible results will start to appear and the dead skin will begin to peel off without the need for filing, Wartner said.

    Louise White, marketing manager of Wartner, said: “The launch of the new Wartner Corn & Callus Removal Pen builds on a catalogue of recent successes for the brand including consumer award wins.

    “We have proven strengths in both cryotherapy and acid treatments delivering an extremely convenient, but highly efficacious, product range for consumers wanting to self-treat warts and verrucas. It felt a very natural step to work with Medical Brands to apply that expertise and innovation to corns and calluses. It’s our intention to deliver growth to the category with this unique treatment. ”

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